1994 historical detection, sixth in Greenwood's Phryne Fisher series
(1920s flapper detective in Australia). Phryne goes undercover in a
circus to try to find out who's sabotaging it; and a performer who's
moved on from it is accused of murder.

The series takes a highly sensationalist turn this time, with a
ceiling dripping blood, raving alcoholics, bar brawls, gang wars,
lions, and a double-barrelled shotgun.

This is a fish-out-of-water story, as Phryne has to leave behind the
trappings of wealth to find out what's going on at Farrell's Circus;
but she seems to spend an awful lot of time whining to herself about
how she misses those trappings, and coming close to a breakdown. Not
perhaps implausible, but it makes her unsympathetic, and the previous
five books have shown us a Phryne who's strong quite separately from
her money, and who's been no stranger to poor living; what's worse,
the plot means that most of the usual supporting cast are out of the
picture.

Meanwhile in Melbourne the principal investigator is an entirely new
policeman; it's a pity this couldn't have landed with Hugh Collins,
who'd have had an excuse to talk about the case with Dot.

This book's clearly trying to get away from accusations of being
formulaic, and parts of it work well, but having Phryne plucked out of
her setting is a misstep. Followed by Ruddy Gore.